Brake



Frederick S. Buesenei lays.

Fb 26, F. S. DUESENBERG BRAKE Original Filed Nov. le, 1920 2 sheets-shear 2 y Patented. Feb. 26, 1929 A UNITED srafrrzs PATENT oFFlcE.

FREDERICK S. DUESENBERG, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO vINDIAN- APOLIS CORPORATION, E WILMINGTON, 'DELAWARE A CORPORATION OF DELA- WAREI l Original application led November 16,1920, Serial No. 424,496. -Divided and `Novemb`er\19, 1923.

This invention relates to a novel and improved brake, having special utility in connection with motor cars, some Ifeatures hav- .ing particular application to front Wheel brakes, and others being equally applicable i an axle, and' a steering knuckle presenting a to rear wheelbrakes.

The invention will behest understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one illustrative embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particula'rly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: .Figa 1 is a sectional View of a brake eX- emplifying 'the invent/mn, as applied to one of the front wheels of a motor vehicle having spindle about which the wheel turns;

Fig. 2/is afsectional view yon line 2--201e Fig. 1; L f

Fig. v3 is a sectional view ony line- 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. Llj'is a sectional View on line 1---40fA `Fig. 3;

' Fig'. 5 is vsectional View on line 5-5 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 6 is an elevation on a reduced scale of the parts shown in Fig, 5,l I l Referring to the drawings, 'and to the em bodiment of the invention which is selected for exemplication, there is shown (see Fig. 1) a portion of a wheel having a hub 6 to turn l on bearings, one of which-1s shown at 7 on a stub axle or spindle 8, herein fo'rmedas' a part ot a steering-knuckle 9, the latter .being suitably pivoted on an axle 10, as bythe provision of a pivot 11 (see Fig. 5), herein secured to the axle by atapered pin 12 (see Fig. 2)v and nut The steering knuckle herein is provided with upper and lower-bearings 14,

and 15l (sce Fig. 5), and has intermediate these bearings a recess 16, which vreceives boss 17 presented by the end vofthe axle' 10. Herein, this boss rests on a ball-thrust bearmg 1S, which contributes to the ease of steering of the vehicle. x i r Referring now to Fig. 1, suitably secured to.the wheel hub is'a brake-drum 19, and enclosed by the latter is a. brake-shoe or shoes, herein exemplified by a brake-band 20, best shown in Fig. 5, having terminals 21 and 22, which, though forming a part of a. smgle BRAKE.

-Serial No. 675,483. f."

`this application led Since the brake-drum turns with the steering. knucklekthe brake-band, in order to remain at all times in cooperative relationship therewith, must also turn in unison with the' steering knuckle. Another requirement is that the lower part of the brake-band shall not drag on the internal surface of the brakedrum, when the brakes are released. Turning.movement of the brake-band in unison with the steering knuckle is ensured by the provision .of a'brake-band support 24, which yis mounted to turn in a bearlng 25 in an ear 26 presented 'by' the axle 10. The lower end of this support is suitably secured to the `brake-bandkWhilethe upper end is cou led to the steering knuckle, as by a coup ing, herein comprising a pair of tongues v27. re- -ceived in grooves 28 provided in the lower end of the steering knuckle. The support 24:f

port 24, bears aty one end against an abutment 30 presented by the latter, and at its other end against the ear 26 on the axle, thereby'constantly exerting a lifting effect on the lower part of the brake-band, and preventing the latter from dragging when released. This spring also maintains the snug engagement of the coupling parts.

Theinvention contemplates the use of a 'suitable fluid, such as oil, rfor the' operation the like, not shown herein, conveniently lolcatedfor operation by the driver.l To this end, the brake isprovided with a fluid-motor, herein comprising a cylinder 31 having a piston 32 working therein, one pivotally connected at 33 to one of the brake terminals 21, and the other pivotally connected at -34 t0 the other brake terminal 22. Thus, it is evident'that the brake cylinde and piston are supported jointly by the brake-band termihals, and as they are mounted within the eircumferential limits of the brake-drum, they about the intermediate portion of the sup-l of the brake, under the control of a pump or are afforded protection by the latter, and the brakes, moreover, present a more sightly appearance than they would if the cylinder were placed outside. Preferably, the brake cylinders are so arranged that the cylinder heads in which the piston rods are guided are pre'- sented in an upward direction, and above the body of oil in the cylinder.- In the present example, the cylinder is inclined, as shown in Fig. 5. This arrangement is preferable because, since the level of the oil is below the upper end of the piston rod guide, danger of oil leakage is minimized. The brake 1s applied by the introduction of oil or other suitable fluid into thc brake cylinder, thereby causing the istonand cylinder to be forced in opposite dlrections. The brake is retracted by a suitable spring 35, herein interposed between the piston and the adjacent end of the cylinder. Preferably, suitable stops are provided to ,limit the movement of the brakeband'lterminals towardy their released position (in the present example toward each other), and to this end, herein I have provided stops,'36 and 37, cooperatingwith pins 38 and 39 carried by the brake terminals 21 and 22, respectively. Herein, these stops are adjustablyv mounted, so 1 that as the brakedrum and band wear, adjustment of the stops -may be made from time to time, thereby to preserve a certain travel ofthe brake connections To this end, the stops'in the present example are carried by levers 40 yand 4], mounted yon ivots., 42 and 48 and" provided with yadjusta le set-screws`44' and 45, by

- means of' which the swingingrovement of the leverstoward each other may be limited. A system of conduits leading tothe, brake cyhnder will now be described, reference beinghad at first to Fig. 5. The steeringk pivot 11 in this example is provided with an axial passage 46as well as Aupper and lower radial passages 47 and 48. The lower passage is suitably connected with a nipple 49 (see Fig. 43), which is threaded into a boss 50 presented by the axle 10. The bore of th nipple is axially aligned, and communiv catfes with the radial passage 48, and to pre-J yvent leakage at the point where they are connected with each other, herein I have provided a, packing c mprising a softmetal washer 51, whichni y be made of lead sha Jed on one side to fit the circumferential Asur ace of' the pivot, and on the other side tol fit-the end of the nlpple. This washer may be compressed and Isqueezed into the cavity and Gagainst the abutting surfaces by simply turn- Ing the n1 ple in the proper direction. While the c lin rical' shape of the pivot might be relie upon to prevent the washers from rotatingv as the nipple is turned, I prefer to provide the Washer with a projecting key 52 (see Fig. 4) received in a correspondmg keyway in the boss 50.

It will be remembered that the pivot pin 11 is secured against turning'movement with respect to the axle, and turns in bearings provided `in the steering knuckle. This being so, it is evident that provision should be made for relative turning movement vbetween the hollow pivot and the connections leading therefrom to the brake cylinder. To this end,

,herein I have provided a swivel 53, shown at the upper portion of Fig. 5, which swivel has a part encircling and mounted to turn about the pivot, and is provided withI a circumferential groove 54 communicating with one or more', herein a plurality of the radial passages 47 in the pivot, thereby affording communication at all times between the interior of' the pivot and a passage 56 in an arm ter moves to and fro during the operation of the brake, it is evident that the connection should be flexible, in part at least. To this end, herein I have provided a flexible conduit 62, attached at one end to the brake cylinder, and suitably connected at its other end through the swivel, as by an elbow 63 and aL rigid conduit 64. The location of the elbow is such that but slight bending movement is f required of the flexible conduit,-hence there is litt-le likelihood of its becoming injured, owing tothe bending action.

The general operationv of the brake should be evident from the foregoing, without further description, except to say that the brake is applied bythe use of a-master cylinder,

not shown herein, which forces iiuid through the described connections to the brake cylin-I lll) der. YVhen t 1e pressure is removed, the parts I are restored to their initial positions by the action of the spring 35 on the piston 32.

This application isa divisionof my( pending application, Ser. No. 424,496, filed November 16, 1920, which has eventuatcd'in the issuance of' Letters Patent No. 1,490,163.

Having thus described one embodiment ofthe invention, but without limit-ingvmyself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1'. In a brake'mechahism, the combination of a brake-drum, brake-shoe means having two partswhich move toward and from each other in applying and releasing the brake, a brake cylinder pivotally connected to one of' said parts, and stops to limit movement of said parts toward their released position, Said .l Stops having provision foradjustment in the direction of such movement.

2. In a brake mechanismfthe combination of a brake-drum, brake-shoe means havingy two parts which move toward and from each other in applying and releasing the brake,

stops to limit the movement of said parts'towardl their released position, and adjustablelevers by which said stops are 'carried and mounted for adjustment in the direction of such movement. v

3. In a vehicle, the combination of va stcering knuckle, a brake-drum carried thereby, a brakeeshoe withinsaid drum, and means to support said brake-shoe and to cause the same to turn with said steering knuckle, said means including a springl urging Said brakeshoe away from said brake-drum in a direc- Ytion lengthwise of the axis of said steering brake shoe means presenting two parts'within saiddrum, means to move said parts toward andvfromy each other 1n a direction generally tangent-ialto said drum, and supporting means disposed endwiseoisaid steer- -ing knuckle to support said brake shoe mean-s and to cause the same to turn with said steering knuckle, said supporting means including an axially separable lcoupling connecting said steering Iknuckle and said brake shoe means to cause them to turn in unison.

6. In a fluid-operated brake system for* steel-able vehicles, the combination of anfaxle, a steering knuckle, a hollowI pivot connecting said steering knuckle to said axle to allow the former to turn with relation to the latter, a brake-drum' and brake-shoe carried by said steering knuckle and turning therewith, J

brake-shoe actuating meansv including a cylinder and piston carried by said steering knuckle, conduit meams carried by saidssteer- .ing knuckle and coinlimiiicatilig on the one hand with said gylinder andon the `other hand with the interior of said hollow pivot, and a conduit carried "by said axle and communicating with said hollow pivot. I t l 2 7. In a Huid-operated brake system 'steerable vehicles, the combination of 'an axle, a steeringknuckle, a hollow pivot secured to said axle and presenting `a pivotal support about which said steering knuckle turns, a brake-drum and brake-shoe carried vby said steering knuckle and turning therewith, and bra for" e-shoe actuating means iii- 'cluding a cylinder and piston carried by said steering knuckle, conduit means carried by said' steering knuckle and communicating on the one hand with said cylinder and on'the other hand with said hollow pivot, said conduit means including a swivel mounted to turn about sald hollon7 pivot, and other conduit means carried by said axle .and comincludingl a cylinder and piston carried by said steering knuckle, conduit means carried by said steering knuckle and comniunicating on the one hand with said cylinder and on the other hand with one of said transverse passages, and other condultmeans carried by said axle and communicating with another of vsaid transverse passages.

9. In a fluid-operated brake system for steerable vehicles, the combination of an axle,

a steerinv'knuckle, a pivot connecting saidsteering *nuckle to said axle to allow the former to turnvrelatively to the latter, said pivot being-provided with longitudinaland transverse passages, a brake and brake-shoe carried 'by said steering knuckle and turning therewith, and brake-shoe actuating means including a cylinder and piston carired by Isaid steeringknuckle, conduit means carried' vby said steering knuckle and communicating on the oneihand with said cylinder and on the other hand with one of said transverse passa-ges, and other conduit means carried by saidiaxle and communicating with another of sald transverse passa es, said other conduit means. including a iollow -plug, and a compressible washer interposed between and held under compression by said. plugA and said pivot 'about the last-mentioned transverse passage.

V10. In a fluid-operated brakevsystem for steerable vehicles, the combination of \an axle, a steering knuckle, avpivot connecting said steering knuckle to said axle to allow the former to turn relatively to the latter, said lOf pivot being provided with longitudinal and transverse passages, a brake xand brake-shoe carried by saidstcering knuckleand turning therewith, and brake-shoe.actuating means includinof a cylinder and piston. ,carried by said steering knuckle, conduit means carried by said steering knuckle and communicating on the one hand with said cylinder and on the other hand with one oi said transverse lpassa es, and, other conduit means carried by sai axle and communicating with another of said transverse passages, (said other conthe direction of such movement. 13.In a fluid-operated brake system forH der outside said steering knuckle, and means within said drum" presenting a pair ot relax-,l

tively movable terminals, brake-shoe actuating means including a cylinder and a piston within said brake-drum, an axle which carries said brake-drum, and means supported by said axle to limit movement of said brakeshoe means toward their released position.

17.. In atluid operated brake for steerable vehicles, the combination of an axle, a steering knuckle,`ia hollow pivot connecting said ,steering knuckle to said axle t0 allow the former to turn with relation to the latter, a brake-drum and brake-shoe carried 'by said steering knuckle and turning therewith, .and f brake-shoe actuating means including a pis- 12. In a brake mechanism, the combinaton Yand vcylinder outside said .steering tion of a hollow brake-drum, brake-slioe knuckle, said cylinder communicating with means within said drum presenting a pair said hollow pivot.

of relatively movable terminals, brakeshoe 18. In a fluid operatedbrake for steerable actuatingmeans including a cylinder and a vehicles, the combina-tion of an axle, a steerpiston within said brake-drum, an axle which ing knuckle, a' hollow pivot connecting said carries said brake-drum, and stops supported steering knuckle to said axle to allow the forby said axle to limit movement of said brakenier to turn with relation to the latter, a brakeshoe means toward their released position, drum and brake-shoe carried by said steering sald stops being mounted for adpistment ,ni knuckle and turning therewith, brak hoe actuating means including a piston and cylinsteerable4 vehicles, the combination of an including a'hollowswivel affording communif axle, a steering knuckle, a hollow pivot con'- cation between said cylinder andsaid hollow neeting said steering knuckle to said axle .to pivot.

allow the-tormento turn with relation to the 19. In a\vehicle, the combination of a steerlatter, a brake-drum and brake-shoe'carried ing knuckle, a hollow brake drum carried by said steering knuckle and turning therethereby, brake-shoe means within said drum with, brake-shoe actuating means including presenting a pair of terminals which move a piston and cylinderearried by said steering toward and from each other, actuating means knuckle, and a conduit connecting on the one including a cylinder and piston within said hand with said cylinder and on the otli'er brake-drum and connected to said terminals hand with said hollow pivot. l to actuate them, and means supported by said 14. In at fluid-operated brake system for steeringknuckle to limit movement of said steerable vehicles, the combination of an axle, terminals toward each other. l

a steering knuckle, a hollow pivot connecting 20. In a vehicle, the combination of a steer- .said steering knuckle to said axle to allow'tlie ing knuckle a hollow brake-drum carried former to turn with relation to the latter, a thereby, brake-shoe meanswithin said drum brake-drum`and brake-shoe' carried by said rpresenting a pair of terminals which move steering knuckle and turning therewith, toward and from each other, actuatingl means brake-shoe actuating means including a pis-I including a cylinder and piston within said y'ton and cylinder carried by said steering brake-drum and connected to said terminals knuckle, and a conduit connecting on the one to actuate them, and stops supported by-said hand with saidy cylinder and on the other steer-ing knuckle to limit movement of said hand with vsaid hollow pivot, said cond iit terminals toward each other, said stops hav-- having swivel connection withsaid hollow ing provision for adjustment toward and pivot.

. t from each other.

15. In a fluid-operated brake system for 21. In a fluid-operated brake system for Steerable'vehicles, the combination of an' axle, st eerable vehicles, they combination offan axle, a pivoted steeringknuckle, a conduit coaxial a steering pivot, a steering knuckle which with the )ivotal axis of said steering knuckle, turns about the axis of said steering pivot, a

1.a brakeruin'and'brake-slioe carried by said brake-drum and brake-shoe carried by said steeringknuckle and turning ,tlieiewitli, Vand steering knuckle and turning therewith about brake-actuating means including a. piston said axis, and brake-actuating means inand cylinder carried by and turni-ngl with. cluding a piston and cylinder carried by and said steering knuckle, said cylinder comturning with said steering knuckle, anda municatingwith said conduit.'

16. In a fluid .operated brake for steerable inder, said4 conduit including a part coaxial yehicles, the combination of an axle, a steerwith andsupported by said steering pivot. ing knuckle, a hollow pivot connecting said- 19' l22. In -a Huid-Opuatedbrake systemlfor 'f 'i I luid conduit communicating with said cylsteerable'vehieles, the combination of an axle, supported by said axle, a part coaxial with a pivoted steering knuckle, a brake-drum and the pivotal axis of said steering knuckle, and brake-shoe carried by said steering knuckle a part carried by said steering knuckle 10 and turninggtherewith, and brake-actuating In testimony whereof, I have signed Iny 5 means including a piston and cylinder earname to this specification.

vi'ied by and turning with said steering knuckle, and a fluid conduit including apart FREDERICK S. DUESENBERG. 

